Access to an electronic asset using content augmentation

ABSTRACT

Methods, computer program products, and systems are presented and can include for instance: crowdsourcing data from a plurality of users via a computer network, the data including feedback data regarding digital rights click through documents, wherein each of the users is a party to at least one of the digital rights click through documents; storing the data obtained by the crowdsourcing into a digital rights history repository; examining a digital rights click through document of a certain user, wherein the digital rights click through document controls access to a digital asset, wherein the examining includes using at least a portion of the feedback data of the digital rights history repository; and augmenting content of the digital rights click through document based on a result of the examining.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.15/418,835, filed Jan. 30, 2017, entitled “Access to an Electronic AssetUsing Content Augmentation”, which is incorporated by reference hereinin its entirety and which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.14/943,753, filed Nov. 17, 2015, (U.S. Pat. No. 9,613,191, dated Apr. 4,2017), entitled “Access to an Electronic Asset Using ContentAugmentation”, which is incorporated by reference herein in itsentirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure in the field of computer security relates adigital rights click through document for control of access to anelectronic asset and more particularly to a content augmentation featurefor a digital rights click through document.

BACKGROUND

In the field of computer security, rights of a party seeking to obtainaccess to digital content are often contingent on the party agreeing toterms and conditions of a computer software license. Digital rightscomputer click through documents are generally characterized by one ormore agree button presented to an asset access receiving party toindicate ascension by a receiving party to a provision of a clickthrough document or to an overall click through document.

Digital rights click through documents can be employed in the control ofaccess to digital assets such as down-loadable software and/or toon-line services.

Receiving digital content from an unscrupulous party in a computingenvironment can give rise to a myriad of problems including malware,breach of privacy and identity theft.

SUMMARY

The shortcomings of the prior art are overcome, and additionaladvantages are provided, through the provision, in one aspect, of amethod. The method can include, for example: crowdsourcing, by one ormore processor, data from a plurality of users via a computer network,the data including feedback data regarding digital rights click throughdocuments, wherein each of the users is a party to at least one of thedigital rights click through documents; storing, by the one or moreprocessor, the data obtained by the crowdsourcing into a digital rightshistory repository; examining, by the one or more processor, a digitalrights click through document of a certain user, wherein the digitalrights click through document controls access to a digital asset,wherein the examining includes using at least a portion of the feedbackdata from the digital rights history repository; and augmenting, by theone or more processor, content of the digital rights click throughdocument based on a result of the examining.

In another aspect, a computer program product can be provided. Thecomputer program product can include a computer readable storage mediumreadable by one or more processing unit and storing instructions forexecution by one or more processor for performing a method. The methodcan include, for example: crowdsourcing data from a plurality of usersvia a computer network, the data including feedback data regardingdigital rights click through documents, wherein each of the users is aparty to at least one of the digital rights click through documents;storing the data obtained by the crowdsourcing into a digital rightshistory repository; examining a digital rights click through document ofa certain user, wherein the digital rights click through documentcontrols access to a digital asset, wherein the examining includes usingat least a portion of the feedback data from the digital rights historyrepository; and augmenting content of the digital rights click throughdocument based on a result of the examining.

In a further aspect, a system can be provided. The system can include,for example a memory. In addition, the system can include one or moreprocessor in communication with the memory. Further, the system caninclude program instructions executable by the one or more processor viathe memory to perform a method. The method can include, for example:crowdsourcing data from a plurality of users via a computer network, thedata including feedback data regarding digital rights click throughdocuments, wherein each of the users is a party to at least one of thedigital rights click through documents; storing the data obtained by thecrowdsourcing into a digital rights history repository; examining adigital rights click through document of a certain user, wherein thedigital rights click through document controls access to a digitalasset, wherein the examining includes using at least a portion of thefeedback data from the digital rights history repository; and augmentingcontent of the digital rights click through document based on a resultof the examining.

The shortcomings of the prior art are overcome, and additionaladvantages are provided, through the provision, in one aspect, of amethod. The method can include, for example: examining, by one or moreprocessor, a digital rights click through document of a certain user,wherein the digital rights click through document controls access to adigital asset, wherein the examining includes using content of a digitalrights history repository; and augmenting, by the one or more processor,content of the digital rights click through document based on a resultof the examining.

In another aspect, a computer program product can be provided. Thecomputer program product can include a computer readable storage mediumreadable by one or more processing unit and storing instructions forexecution by one or more processor for performing a method. The methodcan include, for example: examining a digital rights click throughdocument of a certain user, wherein the digital rights click throughdocument controls access to a digital asset, wherein the examiningincludes using content of a digital rights history repository; andaugmenting content of the digital rights click through document based ona result of the examining.

In a further aspect, a system can be provided. The system can include,for example a memory. In addition, the system can include one or moreprocessor in communication with the memory. Further, the system caninclude program instructions executable by the one or more processor viathe memory to perform a method. The method can include, for example:examining a digital rights click through document of a certain user,wherein the digital rights click through document controls access to adigital asset, wherein the examining includes using content of a digitalrights history repository; and augmenting content of the digital rightsclick through document based on a result of the examining.

Additional features and advantages are realized through the techniquesset forth herein. Other embodiments and aspects are described in detailherein and are considered a part of the claimed invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

One or more aspects of the present invention are particularly pointedout and distinctly claimed as examples in the claims at the conclusionof the specification. The foregoing and other objects, features, andadvantages of the invention are apparent from the following detaileddescription taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings inwhich:

FIG. 1 depicts a cloud computing environment according to an embodimentas set forth herein;

FIG. 2 depicts abstraction model layers according to an embodiment asset forth herein;

FIG. 3 depicts a hardware overview of a computing node, in accordancewith an embodiment as set forth herein;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a system in accordance with an embodimentas set forth herein;

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating a method in accordance with anembodiment as set forth herein;

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating content of a personal repository inaccordance with an embodiment as set forth herein;

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating content of a crowdsourced repository inaccordance with an embodiment as set forth herein;

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an output provided by augmentingcontent in accordance with an embodiment as set forth herein;

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an output provided by augmentingcontent in accordance with an embodiment as set forth herein;

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an output provided by augmentingcontent in accordance with an embodiment as set forth herein;

FIG. 11A-11B is a flow diagram illustrating further aspects of a methodfor augmenting content of a digital rights click through document inaccordance with an embodiment as set forth herein;

FIG. 12 is a reputation user interface in accordance with an embodimentas set forth herein;

FIG. 13 is a flow diagram illustrating a method in accordance with anembodiment as set forth herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Aspects of the present disclosure and certain features, advantages, anddetails thereof, are explained more fully below with reference to thenon-limiting examples illustrated in the accompanying drawings.Descriptions of well-known materials, processing techniques, etc., areomitted so as not to unnecessarily obscure the disclosure in detail. Itshould be understood, however, that the detailed description and thespecific examples, while indicating aspects of the invention, are givenby way of illustration only, and not by way of limitation. Varioussubstitutions, modifications, additions, and/or arrangements, within thespirit and/or scope of the underlying inventive concepts will beapparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure.

Advantageously, the techniques disclosed herein allow for improvedprocessing of digital rights click through documents. Where a presentclick through document has content dissimilar to a prior click throughdocument of a digital rights history repository, a user can be madeaware of this information.

It is understood in advance that although this disclosure includes adetailed description on cloud computing, implementation of the teachingsrecited herein are not limited to a cloud computing environment. Rather,embodiments of the present invention are capable of being implemented inconjunction with any other type of computing environment now known orlater developed.

Cloud computing is a model of service delivery for enabling convenient,on-demand network access to a shared pool of configurable computingresources (e.g., networks, network bandwidth, servers, processing,memory, storage, applications, virtual machines, and services) that canbe rapidly provisioned and released with minimal management effort orinteraction with a provider of the service. This cloud model may includeat least five characteristics, at least three service models, and atleast four deployment models.

Characteristics are as follows:

On-demand self-service: a cloud consumer can unilaterally provisioncomputing capabilities, such as server time and network storage, asneeded automatically without requiring human interaction with theservice's provider.

Broad network access: capabilities are available over a network andaccessed through standard mechanisms that promote use by heterogeneousthin or thick client platforms (e.g., mobile phones, laptops, and PDAs).

Resource pooling: the provider's computing resources are pooled to servemultiple consumers using a multi-tenant model, with different physicaland virtual resources dynamically assigned and reassigned according todemand. There is a sense of location independence in that the consumergenerally has no control or knowledge over the exact location of theprovided resources but may be able to specify location at a higher levelof abstraction (e.g., country, state, or datacenter).

Rapid elasticity: capabilities can be rapidly and elasticallyprovisioned, in some cases automatically, to quickly scale out andrapidly released to quickly scale in. To the consumer, the capabilitiesavailable for provisioning often appear to be unlimited and can bepurchased in any quantity at any time.

Measured service: cloud systems automatically control and optimizeresource use by leveraging a metering capability at some level ofabstraction appropriate to the type of service (e.g., storage,processing, bandwidth, and active user accounts). Resource usage can bemonitored, controlled, and reported providing transparency for both theprovider and consumer of the utilized service.

Service Models are as follows:

Software as a Service (SaaS): the capability provided to the consumer isto use the provider's applications running on a cloud infrastructure.The applications are accessible from various client devices through athin client interface such as a web browser (e.g., web-based e-mail).The consumer does not manage or control the underlying cloudinfrastructure including network, servers, operating systems, storage,or even individual application capabilities, with the possible exceptionof limited user-specific application configuration settings.

Platform as a Service (PaaS): the capability provided to the consumer isto deploy onto the cloud infrastructure consumer-created or acquiredapplications created using programming languages and tools supported bythe provider. The consumer does not manage or control the underlyingcloud infrastructure including networks, servers, operating systems, orstorage, but has control over the deployed applications and possiblyapplication hosting environment configurations.

Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS): the capability provided to theconsumer is to provision processing, storage, networks, and otherfundamental computing resources where the consumer is able to deploy andrun arbitrary software, which can include operating systems andapplications. The consumer does not manage or control the underlyingcloud infrastructure but has control over operating systems, storage,deployed applications, and possibly limited control of select networkingcomponents (e.g., host firewalls).

Deployment Models are as follows:

Private cloud: the cloud infrastructure is operated solely for anorganization. It may be managed by the organization or a third party andmay exist on-premises or off-premises.

Community cloud: the cloud infrastructure is shared by severalorganizations and supports a specific community that has shared concerns(e.g., mission, security requirements, policy, and complianceconsiderations). It may be managed by the organizations or a third partyand may exist on-premises or off-premises.

Public cloud: the cloud infrastructure is made available to the generalpublic or a large industry group and is owned by an organization sellingcloud services.

Hybrid cloud: the cloud infrastructure is a composition of two or moreclouds (private, community, or public) that remain unique entities butare bound together by standardized or proprietary technology thatenables data and application portability (e.g., cloud bursting forload-balancing between clouds).

A cloud computing environment is service oriented with a focus onstatelessness, low coupling, modularity, and semantic interoperability.At the heart of cloud computing is an infrastructure comprising anetwork of interconnected nodes.

Referring now to FIG. 1, illustrative cloud computing environment 50 isdepicted. As shown, cloud computing environment 50 comprises one or morecloud computing nodes 10 with which local computing devices used bycloud consumers, such as, for example, personal digital assistant (PDA)or cellular telephone 54A, desktop computer 54B, laptop computer 54C,and/or automobile computer system 54N may communicate. Nodes 10 maycommunicate with one another. They may be grouped (not shown) physicallyor virtually, in one or more networks, such as Private, Community,Public, or Hybrid clouds as described hereinabove, or a combinationthereof. This allows cloud computing environment 50 to offerinfrastructure, platforms and/or software as services for which a cloudconsumer does not need to maintain resources on a local computingdevice. It is understood that the types of computing devices 54A-N shownin FIG. 1 are intended to be illustrative only and that computing nodes10 and cloud computing environment 50 can communicate with any type ofcomputerized device over any type of network and/or network addressableconnection (e.g., using a web browser).

Referring now to FIG. 2, a set of functional abstraction layers providedby cloud computing environment 50 (FIG. 1) is shown. It should beunderstood in advance that the components, layers, and functions shownin FIG. 2 are intended to be illustrative only and embodiments of theinvention are not limited thereto. As depicted, the following layers andcorresponding functions are provided:

Hardware and software layer 60 includes hardware and softwarecomponents. Examples of hardware components include: mainframes 61; RISC(Reduced Instruction Set Computer) architecture based servers 62;servers 63; blade servers 64; storage devices 65; and networks andnetworking components 66. In some embodiments, software componentsinclude network application server software 67 and database software 68.

Virtualization layer 70 provides an abstraction layer from which thefollowing examples of virtual entities may be provided: virtual servers71; virtual storage 72; virtual networks 73, including virtual privatenetworks; virtual applications and operating systems 74; and virtualclients 75.

In one example, management layer 80 may provide the functions describedbelow. Resource provisioning 81 provides dynamic procurement ofcomputing resources and other resources that are utilized to performtasks within the cloud computing environment. Metering and Pricing 82provide cost tracking as resources are utilized within the cloudcomputing environment, and billing or invoicing for consumption of theseresources. In one example, these resources may comprise applicationsoftware licenses. Security provides identity verification for cloudconsumers and tasks, as well as protection for data and other resources.User portal 83 provides access to the cloud computing environment forconsumers and system administrators. Service level management 84provides cloud computing resource allocation and management such thatrequired service levels are met. Service Level Agreement (SLA) planningand fulfillment 85 provide pre-arrangement for, and procurement of,cloud computing resources for which a future requirement is anticipatedin accordance with an SLA.

Workloads layer 90 provides examples of functionality for which thecloud computing environment may be utilized. Examples of workloads andfunctions which may be provided from this layer include: mapping andnavigation 91; software development and lifecycle management 92; virtualclassroom education delivery 93; data analytics processing 94;transaction processing 95; and digital rights click through documentprocessing 96.

Referring now to FIG. 3, FIG. 3 depicts a hardware overview of acomputing node 100, in accordance with an embodiment set forth herein.Computing node 100 is only one example of a suitable computing node andis not intended to suggest any limitation as to the scope of use orfunctionality of embodiments of the invention described herein.Regardless, computing node 100 is capable of being implemented and/orperforming any of the functionality set forth hereinabove.

In one embodiment, computing node 100 can be provided as a cloudcomputing node 10 of a cloud computing environment 50 as set forth inreference to FIG. 1. In one embodiment, computing node 100 can beprovided as a computing node of a computing environment other than acloud computing environment.

In computing node 100 there can be provided a computer system 12, whichis operational with numerous other general purpose or special purposecomputing system environments or configurations. Examples of well-knowncomputing systems, environments, and/or configurations that may besuitable for use with computer system 12 include, but are not limitedto, personal computer systems, server computer systems, thin clients,thick clients, hand-held or laptop devices, multiprocessor systems,microprocessor-based systems, set top boxes, programmable consumerelectronics, network PCs, minicomputer systems, mainframe computersystems, and distributed cloud computing environments that include anyof the above systems or devices, and the like.

Computer system 12 may be described in the general context of computersystem-executable instructions, such as program modules, being executedby a computer system. Generally, program modules may include routines,programs, objects, components, logic, data structures, and so on thatperform particular tasks or implement particular abstract data types.Computer system 12 may be practiced in distributed cloud computingenvironments where tasks are performed by remote processing devices thatare linked through a communications network. In a distributed cloudcomputing environment, program modules may be located in both local andremote computer system storage media including memory storage devices.Computer system 12 may be practiced in a non-distributed and/ornon-cloud environment.

As shown in FIG. 3, computer system 12 in computing node 100 is shown inthe form of a general-purpose computing device. The components ofcomputer system 12 may include, but are not limited to, one or moreprocessor 16, a system memory 28, and a bus 18 that couples varioussystem components including system memory 28 to one or more processor16.

Bus 18 represents one or more of any of several types of bus structures,including a memory bus or memory controller, a peripheral bus, anaccelerated graphics port, and a processor or local bus using any of avariety of bus architectures. By way of example, and not limitation,such architectures include Industry Standard Architecture (ISA) bus,Micro Channel Architecture (MCA) bus, Enhanced ISA (EISA) bus, VideoElectronics Standards Association (VESA) local bus, and PeripheralComponent Interconnects (PCI) bus.

Computer system 12 typically includes a variety of computer systemreadable media. Such media may be any available media that is accessibleby computer system 12, and it includes both volatile and non-volatilemedia, removable and non-removable media.

System memory 28 can include computer system readable media in the formof volatile memory, such as random access memory (RAM) 30 and/or cachememory 32. Computer system 12 may further include otherremovable/non-removable, volatile/non-volatile computer system storagemedia. By way of example only, storage system 34 can be provided forreading from and writing to a non-removable, non-volatile magnetic media(not shown and typically called a “hard drive”). Although not shown, amagnetic disk drive for reading from and writing to a removable,non-volatile magnetic disk (e.g., a “floppy disk”), and an optical diskdrive for reading from or writing to a removable, non-volatile opticaldisk such as a CD-ROM, DVD-ROM or other optical media can be provided.In such instances, each can be connected to bus 18 by one or more datamedia interfaces. As will be further depicted and described below,memory 28 may include at least one or more program (e.g., one or moreprogram 440 and/or one or more program 441, 442, 443 as set forthherein) configured to carry out the functions of embodiments of theinvention.

One or more program 440 having a set (at least one) of program modules,may be stored in memory 28 by way of example, and not limitation, aswell as an operating system, one or more application programs, otherprogram modules, and program data. Each of the operating system, one ormore application programs, other program modules, and program data orsome combination thereof, may include an implementation of a networkingenvironment. In place of or in addition to one or more program 440memory 28 can store one or more additional one or more program, e.g.,one or more program 441, 442, 443.

Computer system 12 may also communicate with one or more externaldevices 14 such as a keyboard, a pointing device, a display 24, etc.that enable a user to interact with computer system 12; and/or anydevices (e.g., network card, modem, etc.) that enable computer system 12to communicate with one or more other computing devices. Suchcommunication can occur via Input/Output (I/O) interfaces 22. Still yet,computer system 12 can communicate with one or more networks such as alocal area network (LAN), a general wide area network (WAN), and/or apublic network (e.g., the Internet) via network adapter 20. As depicted,network adapter 20 communicates with the other components of computersystem 12 via bus 18. It should be understood that although not shown,other hardware and/or software components could be used in conjunctionwith computer system 12. Examples include, but are not limited to:microcode, device vehicle operators, redundant processing units,external disk drive arrays, RAID systems, tape drives, and data archivalstorage systems, etc. In addition to or in place of having externaldevices 14 and display 24, which can be configured to provide userinterface functionality, computing node 100 in one embodiment caninclude display 25 connected to bus 18. In one embodiment, display 25can be configured as a touch screen display and can be configured toprovide user interface functionality. Computer system 12 in oneembodiment can also include one or more sensor device 27 connected tobus 18. One or more sensor device 27 can alternatively be connectedthrough I/O interface(s) 22. One or more sensor device 27 can include aGlobal Positioning Sensor (GPS) device in one embodiment and can beconfigured to provide a location of computing node 100.

A representative one or more program of one or more program 440, 441,442, 443 can have a set (at least one) of program modules, and may bestored in memory 28 by way of example, and not limitation, as well as anoperating system, one or more application programs, other programmodules, and program data. Each of the operating system, one or moreapplication programs, other program modules, program data, and one ormore program, or some combination thereof, may include an implementationof a networking environment. One or more program 440 (and optionally atleast one program of one or more program 441, 442, 443) can generallycarry out the functions and/or methodologies of embodiments of theinvention as described herein. One or more program 440 (and optionallyat least one program of one or more program 441, 442, 443) can includecomputer readable program instructions as are set forth herein that canbe stored in a computer readable storage medium within a respectivecomputing/processing device. In one embodiment a computer readablestorage medium as set forth herein can be included in memory 28 as setforth in FIG. 3.

The present invention may be a system, a method, and/or a computerprogram product at any possible technical detail level of integration.The computer program product may include a computer readable storagemedium (or media) having computer readable program instructions thereonfor causing a processor to carry out aspects of the present invention.

The computer readable storage medium can be a tangible device that canretain and store instructions for use by an instruction executiondevice. The computer readable storage medium may be, for example, but isnot limited to, an electronic storage device, a magnetic storage device,an optical storage device, an electromagnetic storage device, asemiconductor storage device, or any suitable combination of theforegoing. A non-exhaustive list of more specific examples of thecomputer readable storage medium includes the following: a portablecomputer diskette, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), aread-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROMor Flash memory), a static random access memory (SRAM), a portablecompact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), a digital versatile disk (DVD),a memory stick, a floppy disk, a mechanically encoded device such aspunch-cards or raised structures in a groove having instructionsrecorded thereon, and any suitable combination of the foregoing. Acomputer readable storage medium, as used herein, is not to be construedas being transitory signals per se, such as radio waves or other freelypropagating electromagnetic waves, electromagnetic waves propagatingthrough a waveguide or other transmission media (e.g., light pulsespassing through a fiber-optic cable), or electrical signals transmittedthrough a wire.

Computer readable program instructions described herein can bedownloaded to respective computing/processing devices from a computerreadable storage medium or to an external computer or external storagedevice via a network, for example, the Internet, a local area network, awide area network and/or a wireless network. The network may comprisecopper transmission cables, optical transmission fibers, wirelesstransmission, routers, firewalls, switches, gateway computers and/oredge servers. A network adapter card or network interface in eachcomputing/processing device receives computer readable programinstructions from the network and forwards the computer readable programinstructions for storage in a computer readable storage medium withinthe respective computing/processing device.

Computer readable program instructions for carrying out operations ofthe present invention may be assembler instructions,instruction-set-architecture (ISA) instructions, machine instructions,machine dependent instructions, microcode, firmware instructions,state-setting data, configuration data for integrated circuitry, oreither source code or object code written in any combination of one ormore programming languages, including an object oriented programminglanguage such as Smalltalk, C++, or the like, and procedural programminglanguages, such as the “C” programming language or similar programminglanguages. The computer readable program instructions may executeentirely on the user's computer, partly on the user's computer, as astand-alone software package, partly on the user's computer and partlyon a remote computer or entirely on the remote computer or server. Inthe latter scenario, the remote computer may be connected to the user'scomputer through any type of network, including a local area network(LAN) or a wide area network (WAN), or the connection may be made to anexternal computer (for example, through the Internet using an InternetService Provider). In some embodiments, electronic circuitry including,for example, programmable logic circuitry, field-programmable gatearrays (FPGA), or programmable logic arrays (PLA) may execute thecomputer readable program instructions by utilizing state information ofthe computer readable program instructions to personalize the electroniccircuitry, in order to perform aspects of the present invention.

Aspects of the present invention are described herein with reference toflowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, apparatus(systems), and computer program products according to embodiments of theinvention. It will be understood that each block of the flowchartillustrations and/or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in theflowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, can be implemented bycomputer readable program instructions.

These computer readable program instructions may be provided to aprocessor of a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, orother programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, suchthat the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computeror other programmable data processing apparatus, create means forimplementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or blockdiagram block or blocks. These computer readable program instructionsmay also be stored in a computer readable storage medium that can directa computer, a programmable data processing apparatus, and/or otherdevices to function in a particular manner, such that the computerreadable storage medium having instructions stored therein comprises anarticle of manufacture including instructions which implement aspects ofthe function/act specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram blockor blocks.

The computer readable program instructions may also be loaded onto acomputer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other deviceto cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer,other programmable apparatus or other device to produce a computerimplemented process, such that the instructions which execute on thecomputer, other programmable apparatus, or other device implement thefunctions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block orblocks.

The flowchart and block diagrams in the figures illustrate thearchitecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementationsof systems, methods, and computer program products according to variousembodiments of the present invention. In this regard, each block in theflowchart or block diagrams may represent a module, segment, or portionof instructions, which comprises one or more executable instructions forimplementing the specified logical function(s). In some alternativeimplementations, the functions noted in the blocks may occur out of theorder noted in the figures for example, two blocks shown in successionmay, in fact, be executed substantially concurrently, or the blocks maysometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon thefunctionality involved. It will also be noted that each block of theblock diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, and combinations of blocksin the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, can be implementedby special purpose hardware-based systems that perform the specifiedfunctions or acts or carry out combinations of special purpose hardwareand computer instructions.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a system 400, in accordance with anembodiment as set forth herein. In the embodiment of FIG. 4, system 400includes numerous devices, which may be or include computing nodes 100as previously described, connected by a network 402. For example,network 402 may be a physical network or a virtual network. A physicalnetwork can be, for example, a physical telecommunications networkconnecting numerous computer nodes or systems, such as computer serversand computer clients. By contrast a virtual network can, for example,combine numerous physical networks or parts thereof into a logicalvirtual network. In another example, numerous virtual networks can bedefined over a single physical network.

By way of explanation, FIG. 4 depicts an example environment. In oneembodiment, system 400 can include a user system 406 and a managersystem 410. In one embodiment system 400 can include an offering partysystem 414. In one embodiment, system 400 can include a digital rightshistory repository 416 having a personal 418 and a crowdsourcerepository 418. In one embodiment, manager system 410 can obtain contentof a present click through document from offering party system 414 andcan obtain content of one or more historical click through document fromdigital rights history repository 416. Each of user system 406, managersystem 410, offering party system 414, and digital rights historyrepository 416 can include one or more computing node 100. Eachcomputing node 100 can run one or more program. Shown as being externalto manager system 410, digital rights history repository 416 includingone or more of personal repository 418 or history repository 420 canalternatively be co-located with manager system 410. One or more program440 which can run on one or more computing node 100 of manager system410 can obtain information transmitted to manager system 410.

Regarding user system 406, user system 406 in one embodiment can includea computing node 100 provided by a client computer, e.g. a mobiledevice, laptop or PC that runs one or more program including a webbrowser for browsing web pages.

Regarding offering party system 414, offering party system 414 in oneembodiment can include a computing node 100 provided by a web serverthat serves web pages having click through document content.

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating a method, in accordance with oneor more aspects set forth herein. By way of example, the methoddescribed with respect to FIG. 5 can be performed using one or moreprogram 440 running on one or more device e.g., of manager system 410(FIG. 4) having one or more computing node 100 as described with respectto FIG. 3. In one embodiment, one or more program 440 can provide thefunctionality of digital rights click through agreement processing 96.

In the embodiment of FIG. 5, one or more program 440 at block 510 canperform examining a digital rights click through document. At block 520one or more program 440 can perform augmenting content of the digitalrights click through document based on a result of the examining. In oneembodiment, the digital rights click through document can be a documentcontrolling access to a digital asset, e.g., software and/or an on-lineservice. In one embodiment, the digital rights click through agreementcan have an agree button which in response to actuation by a user canpermit access to the digital asset. In one embodiment, the digitalrights click through document subject to examining at block 510 can be adocument of a certain user, e.g., a user presented with the digitalrights click through document, which document can include an agreebutton. In one embodiment, the examining can include comparing contentof the click through document with content of a digital rights historyrepository. In one embodiment a representative digital rights agreementdocument of history repository 416 can have a signed/rejected status.

In one embodiment, one or more program 440 can provide a technique foragreeing to terms of use that allows correct understanding with lessload through analysis and comparison of history of digital rights clickthrough document contents.

Embodiments herein recognize that when software or a service is newlyused, users are requested to “agree” to “terms of use.” Embodimentsherein recognize that with the expansion of online available softwareand services the number of occasions in which users are requested toagree to terms of use, such as provision of services using a network, isestimated to increase more than ever in the future.

Embodiments herein recognize that terms of use and general conditionsare generally lengthy, difficult to understand, and it is hard to graspcontents easily and accurately. As a result, users often cannot help butconclude digital rights click through document provisions are acceptablewithout fully understanding the contents.

Based on the premise that documents of terms of use are lengthy anddifficult to understand, embodiments herein are intended to make offereddigital rights click through documents with terms of use easy tounderstand.

Embodiments herein recognize that at present, a scheme is generally usedin which terms of use are displayed e.g. as a Web page and the user'sintention of “agreement” is expressed using an agree button, e.g., acheck box, button with appropriate text, or the like.

Embodiment herein recognize that according to one present scheme forencouraging careful review of a digital rights click through document,the agreement button is deactivated until all terms of use aredisplayed, but embodiments herein recognize that cases are rarelyobserved where measures are taken to reduce the user's burden of readinghard-to-understand terms of use.

One more program 440 performing augmenting at block 520 can take onvarious forms. In one embodiment the augmenting can include outputtinginformation, e.g., by triggering display of information, e.g., byestablishing program code for display of information. The informationcan include, e.g., information resulting from a comparison betweendigital rights click through documents, statistical information ondigital rights click through documents corresponding to the documentbeing examined, and/or reputation information on digital rights clickthrough documents corresponding to the document being examined. In oneembodiment a digital rights click through document corresponding to thedocument being examined can refer to a document in common with thedocument being examined. In one embodiment a digital rights clickthrough document corresponding to the document being examined can referto a document having a similarity to the document being examinedaccording to a predetermined criteria.

In one embodiment, to perform examining a digital rights click throughdocument at block 510 one or more program 440 can obtain a currentdigital rights click through document, e.g., from offering party system414, and can compare content of a current digital rights click throughdocument to content of one or more prior digital rights click throughdocument of digital rights history repository 416.

Content of digital rights history repository 416 can include personalrepository 418 and/or crowdsource repository 420. Personal repository418 can include, e.g., digital rights click through documents that theuser has signed (accepted, agreed) or not signed (rejected) in the pastand/or additional information, e.g., reputation information on suchdocuments. Crowdsource repository 420 can include, e.g., digital rightsclick through documents that other users (users of system 400 other thatthe user using user system 406) have signed or not signed and/oradditional information e.g., reputation information on such documents.

In one embodiment, one or more program 440 at block 510 to performexamining can perform comparing terms and conditions of a currentdigital rights click through document to be signed or rejected by a userwith terms and conditions of one or more click through agreement ofdigital rights history repository 416. In one embodiment one or moreprogram 440 at block 520 to perform augmenting can output usefulinformation resulting from such comparing before actual signing of thecurrent document, such as similarity with and difference (if any) fromthe past click through documents, and the fact whether the user actuallysigned (agreed) to the similar digital rights click through documents inthe past. At block 520 one or more program 440 can use content of apersonal repository 418 and/or crowdsource repository 420. Crowdsourcerepository 420 can include information on one or more digital rightsclick through document of other users (users of system 400 other thanuser of a user system 406).

In one embodiment, one or more program 440 to perform examining at block510 can perform examining using other user content of a crowdsourcerepository 420 of the digital rights history repository 416, the otheruser content being obtained from one or more user other than a certainuser presented with the document being subject to examining. In oneembodiment, such other user content can be provided by one or more priordigital rights click through document. In one embodiment, such otheruser content can be provided by one or more reputation information itemas is set forth herein, which reputation information can be obtainedfrom users of system 400.

In one embodiment, one or more program 440 can be operative to usecontent of personal repository 518 in performing examining at block 510unless at block 510 one or more program 440 at block 510 determines thatpersonal repository 518 is absent a prior document corresponding to thedocument subject to examining at block 510. In one embodiment, one ormore program 440 to perform examining at block 510 can use content ofcrowdsource repository 420 conditionally on the determination that thereis no document in personal repository 418 corresponding to the documentsubject to examining at block 510. In another embodiment, one or moreprogram 440 at block 510 can use content of personal repository 518and/or crowdsource repository 420 by default without use of one or theother repository being conditional on a condition.

In one embodiment, one or more program 440 to perform examining at block510 can perform analyzing events of one or more prior digital rightsclick through document corresponding to the digital rights click throughdocument, and one or more program 440 to perform augmenting at block 520can perform outputting a result of the analyzing of events in the formof, e.g., an event analysis result. Events can include e.g. asigning/rejecting event, or an entry of a reputation information item bya user of system 400. One or more program 440 at block 510 in performingexamining can determine event analysis results, e.g., in the form of thenumber of users who signed or rejected one or more prior documentcorresponding to the document subject to examining at block 610, numberof positive reputation scores of one or more prior documentcorresponding to the document subject to examining at block 610, ornumber of negative reputation scores of one or more prior documentcorresponding to the document subject to examining at block 610.

In one embodiment, one or more program 440 to perform examining at block520 can perform examining to determine reputation information of one ormore prior digital rights click through document corresponding to thedigital rights click through document being subject to examining atblock 510, and one or more program 440 to perform augmenting at block520 can perform outputting the reputation information. In one embodimentone or more program 440 to perform examining at block 510 can locate inrepository 416 one or more prior digital rights click through agreementcorresponding to the document being subject to examining and can obtainreputation information stored for such documents. Reputation informationcan include, e.g., reputation information obtained from users of system400.

Reputation information stored for a document of repository 416 caninclude e.g., reputation information on the document. For example, on adocument being added to repository 416 or at any other time the user ofthe document can be presented with a reputation user interface allowingreputation information to be stored for the document. Reputationinformation on a document can include, e.g., information on problems,concerns, questions encountered by a user of the document. Reputationinformation on a document can include information on the document itselfand/or information on the underlying service accessible by agreeing toterms of the digital rights click through document.

Reputation information stored for a document of digital rights historyrepository 416 can include, e.g., reputation information of users ofsystem 400. In addition to having a signed/rejected status arepresentative document of digital rights history repository 416 caninclude, e.g., an associated user (the user that signed or rejected thedocument), an associated URL designating the location on the Internetwhere the document can be located, and a timestamp. One or more program440 can determine a URL for a click through document by performing testsearches for Internet documents having text strings of the document orby obtaining the URL from identifying information of a current Webbrowsing session. Reputation information on users of system 400 can beobtained from various sources, e.g., external public document servicesthat record, e.g., criminal records and/or civil proceedings records,and/or reputation information provided by other users of system 400.

In one embodiment, one or more program 440 can be operative so thatfunctions provided at block 510 and block 520 are active conditionallyon the condition that a user registers with a service provided by system400 (FIG. 4). In one embodiment functions provided at block 510 andblock 520 can be provided as a members-only service on a network, e.g.,a subscription based service. In one embodiment, a user of the serviceprovided by system 400 can be permitted to use system 400 by agreeing tostorage of a history of digital rights click through documents havingterms of use (which may include conditions of use) in which the userhimself/herself is a party to the digital rights click through document,determination on the terms of use (whether the user agrees thereto ornot) and/or reputation in the form of evaluation information (whetherthe user recommends the digital rights click through document to otherpeople or not). In one embodiment, system 400 can be operative so thatconditionally on a user registering with a service, informationpresented to system 400 for storing in personal repository 418 can beshared between personal repository 418 and crowdsource repository 420.

In one embodiment, when agreeing to the terms of use of service providedby system 400 for registering a certain user into system, 400, a certainuser presents content of a digital rights click through document of thecertain user to system 400 and determines whether or not to agreethereto while receiving assistance from system 400. That is, system 400can be operative to provide a demonstration of use of system 400 to aprospective registered user of system 400.

In one embodiment, system 400 can collect one or more (a) digital rightsclick through documents with terms of use and/or evaluation informationthereof, and assist users of system 400 using that information. Anexample of a possible use of system 400 is provided herein in referenceto (1) through (4) below. (1) A certain user logs in to the serviceprovided by system 400 as set forth in reference to FIG. 4. Based onprior storing actions, system 400 can store in digital rights historyrepository 416 a history of past digital rights click through documentsof the login certain user (in personal repository 418) and/or of otherusers (in crowdsource repository 420). (2) The certain user acquires adigital rights click through document having terms of use presented tothe user (e.g., by display on a display 24 or 25 of a computing node100) to which the certain user is considering agreeing and sends forexamining by one or more program 440 the terms of use to the serviceprovided by system 400 to which the user has logged in. In oneembodiment Copy & Paste and uploading of files provided in, e.g., PDF orWORD format or the like can be used. In an alternative embodiment as setforth herein content of digital rights click through documents having ofterms of use may also be presented more easily through direct linkagefrom a digital rights click through document target site. (3) Thepresent system 400 and specifically one or more program 440 at block 510to perform examining can compare content provided by the submitted termsof use of the current click through document with content provided bythe terms of use agreed in the past of prior one or more click throughdocument and searches similar ones. (4) The present system 400 andspecifically one or more program 440 at block 520 to perform augmentingcan establish program code to display on a display 24, 25 on a computingnode 100 the comparison results in an easily understandable manner tothe user. One or more program 440 can output comparison results, e.g.,as follows (a) When substantially the same one exists, system 400 andspecifically one or more program 440 at block 520 reports to the usersaying “THESE TERMS ARE IDENTICAL TO YYY AGREED IN XX(MONTH), XX(YEAR),AND NO PROBLEMS HAVE BEEN RECORDED THEREAFTER (OR EVALUATION XXXPERFORMED ON YYY).” (b) When a similar one exists but differences alsoexist, system 400 and specifically one or more program 440 at block 520reports to the user with a warning “THESE TERMS ARE SIMILAR TO YYYAGREED IN XX(MONTH), XX(YEAR), BUT ARE DIFFERENT IN THE FOLLOWING” anddisplays the differences. (c) When no similar one exists, system 400 andspecifically one or more program 440 at block 520 reports to the usersaying “YOU HAVE NEVER AGREED TO THIS TYPE OF TERMS IN THE PAST.”

Since in one embodiment many digital rights click through documentshaving terms of use can be submitted to system 400, system 400 andspecifically one or more program 440 at block 510 can perform examiningby analyzing patterns and feedback reputation information obtained fromother users of system 400 which patterns and reputation information canbe stored in crowdsource repository 420, and thereby can provide thefollowing exemplary analysis information (i), (ii) and (iii), and canthereby assist the user's determinations even in the case (c): (i) Thenumber of users who have agreed to click through documents correspondingto the document subject to examination at block 510 and the number ofusers who have rejected click through documents corresponding to thedocument subject to examination. (ii) Information on reputation in caseswhere users encountered negative consequences as a result of agreement(iii) Links to information useful to well understand terms of use.Accordingly one or more program 440 in performing analyzing at block 510can perform machine learning.

The user can determine whether or not to agree with reference to thisaugmented content in the form of information and reports thedetermination result to system 400.

The certain user may be allowed to input to system 400, e.g., reputationinformation and can provide comment such as on the reputation about adocument (and/or associated software or service) the certain user agreedto in the past. Especially when the certain user regrets the agreementresults, the certain user is motivated to input bad reputation againstthe document (and/or associated software or service), and thereforesignificant information is expected to be collected to digital rightshistory repository 416 of system 400.

As set forth herein one or more program 440 to perform examining atblock 510 can perform a comparing between a document subject toexamining at block 510 and one or more prior digital rights clickthrough document of repository 416. In one embodiment, one or moreprogram 440 to perform a comparing can perform a specified procedure,e.g., a specified procedure including (1) one or more program 440processing a document to identify discrete terms; (2) one or moreprogram 440 classifying discrete terms of a document into severalpatterns; (3) one or more program 440 attaching metadata to a documentto label identified terms with pattern identifiers; and (4) one or moreprogram 440 searching for matches between documents having commonmetadata identifiers.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating content of personal repository 418 inaccordance with an embodiment as set forth herein. System 400 can beoperative e.g., so that responsively to a user (e.g., using user system406) entering an input to sign or reject a digital rights click throughdocument one or more program 440 stores a single row of data intopersonal repository 418 as illustrated in FIG. 6.

System 400 can be operative so that information of personal repository418 can be shared between personal repository 418 and crowdsourcerepository 420. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating content of crowdsourcerepository 420 in accordance with an embodiment as set forth herein. Inone embodiment as illustrated in FIG. 7, one or more program 440performing examining at block 510 can perform analyzing of events ofdigital rights click through documents corresponding to a click throughdocument being examined at block 510. Events can include, e.g.,reputation entry events and/or accept/reject events. One or more program440 can store one or more event analysis result that results from suchanalyzing of events in crowdsource repository 420 for each click throughdocument of a set of click through documents identified as correspondingto a click through document determined to be corresponding. Evenanalysis results can include, e.g., a summary of reputation feedbackinformation for a set of corresponding click through documents asillustrated by entry 4202, a summary of accept/reject results asillustrated by entry 4204. One or more program 440 for performingexamining at block 510 where examining includes analyzing events caninclude reading result summary entries in the form e.g., of entry 4202and/or entry 4204 and/or can include identifying click through documentsof crowdsource repository 420 corresponding to a click through documentbeing examined and analyzing raw row data entries shared from personalrepository 418 into crowdsource repository 420, e.g., as shown in FIG.6.

In one embodiment, as set forth herein one or more program 440 inperforming augmenting at block 520 can output various information. FIGS.8-10 illustrate various outputs, e.g., for display on a display 24, 25of a computing node 100 that can be provided by performance ofaugmenting at block 510.

The output of FIG. 8 illustrates an exemplary case where an examining atblock 510 results in a determining that a prior document correspondingto the document examined at block 510 has been previously agreed to bythe certain user.

The output of FIG. 9 illustrates an exemplary case where an examining atblock 510 results in a determining that a prior document correspondingto the document examined at block 510 has been previously agreed to bythe certain user, but that there are particular differences between theprior document and the document being examined.

The output of FIG. 10 illustrates an exemplary case where an examiningat block 510 results in a determining that a prior documentcorresponding to the document examined at block 510 has not beenpreviously presented to a certain user. In one embodiment in such caseone or more program 440 in performing examining at block 510 can obtaincontent of crowdsource repository 420, and can output reputationinformation on the document as set forth herein.

FIG. 11A-11B is a flow diagram illustrating further aspects of a methodfor augmenting content of a digital rights click through document inaccordance with an embodiment as set forth herein. By way ofexplanation, in FIG. 11A-11B, method elements are illustrated from thepoint of view of a manager system one or more program 440 (e.g., runningon manager system 410 of FIG. 4), offer provider one or more program441, user one or more program 442 and history repository one or moreprogram 443. While the flow diagram of FIG. 11A-11B depicts a relativelydistributed computing environment, any distribution scheme for functionscorresponding to those described in reference to the flow diagram ofFIGS. 11A-11B can be selected. In one embodiment, functionscorresponding to all of the functions described in reference to the flowdiagram of FIG. 11A-11B can be performed by one or more program, e.g.,one or more program 440 running on a single computing node 100 (FIG. 3).

In one embodiment, some or all of the one or more program 440, 442, 443may run on a different collection of physical or virtual machines orprocessors, depending on the need for scalability of the system. In oneembodiment, each of the one or more program 440, 442, 443 can run on adifferent computer node 100. In one specific example, each of the one ormore program 441, 442, 443 can run on a single multi-processor computersystem. In one specific example, each of the one or more program 441,442, 443 can run on a single single-processor computer system. Inanother specific example, various portions of manager system one or moreprogram 440 may run on different processors running on differentcomputing nodes 100. In another specific example, various portions ofoffer provider one or more program 441 may run on different processorsrunning on different computing nodes 100. In another specific example,various portions of user system one or more program 442 may run ondifferent processors running on different computing nodes 100. Inanother specific example, various portions of history repository one ormore program 443 may run on different processors running on differentcomputing nodes 100.

By way of overview, FIG. 11A-11B illustrates, at least in part, one ormore embodiment in which a click through document of a certain user canbe examined.

In one embodiment, at decision block 702 user system one or more program442 can wait for a web browsing session to be commenced, e.g., betweenone or more program 442 and offer provider one or more program 441. If aweb browsing session has been commenced one or more program 442 canadvance to decision block 704. At decision block 704 one or more program442 can determine if a digital rights click through document has beenaccessed. If a digital rights click through document has been accessedone or more program 442 at block 706 can send a notification to managersystem one or more program 440 which can obtain the notification atblock 902.

Responsively to the notification one or more program 440 at block 904can send a request to offer provider one or more program 441 currentlyrunning a browsing session with one or more program 442, the requestbeing a request for click through document content. One or more program441 can obtain the request at block 602 and at block 604 can send clickthrough document content.

At block 906 one or more program 440 can obtain the click thoughdocument content. At block 908 one or more program 440 can commence anexamination of the obtained document. At block 910 one or more program440 can query history repository one or more program 443 to obtaincontent of digital rights history repository 416. One or more program443 can responsively send the queried content and one or more program440 at block 912 can obtain the content sent at block 804. Blocks910-912 and blocks 802-804 can be repeated until sufficient content hasbeen obtained from digital rights history repository 416 to perform anexamination.

At blocks 910-914 one or more program 440 can perform an examining of adigital rights click through document of a certain user. As set forthherein an examining can include comparing the document to one or moreprior document of digital rights history repository 416. As set forthherein an examining can include analyzing events of one or more documentto determine event analysis results. Event analysis results can include,e.g., a summary of information on agree/reject events of a set of clickthrough documents corresponding to a click through document beingexamined, or a summary of information on positive or negative feedbackentry events of a set of click through documents corresponding to aclick through document being examined. As set forth herein an examiningcan include examining to determine reputation information, e.g., of adocument or of a user of system 400. At block 914 one or more program440 can complete an examination.

At block 916 one or more program 440 can perform augmenting of contentof a digital rights click through document by outputting informatione.g., by triggering display or other output of information. One or moreprogram 440 to trigger an output of information can establish programcode to display information. At block 918 one or more program 440 cansend program code that can be established at block 916 to user systemone or more program 442.

At block 708 user system one or more program 442 can execute the code,e.g., to display a result of the examining on a display 24, 25 of acomputing node 100 of user system 406. Based on an output provided byaugmenting content a user can sign or reject the document. In oneembodiment, one or more program 440 can restrict a user's actuation ofan agree button of the document subject to examining. In one embodimentthe restricting can include precluding a display of a click throughdocument agree button on a certain display without augmenting of contentof a document providing display of information on the certain display.At block 709 one or more program 442 can send the signed/rejected statusto one or more program 440 that can receive the status at block 919.

At block 920 one or more program 440 can store the digital rights clickthrough document examined at blocks 908-914 into system 400. One or moreprogram 440 in performing the store at block 920 can perform sending thecontent obtained at block 906, together with a status indicationindicating the signed/rejected status of the document to one or moreprogram 443 for storage into digital rights history repository 416 onbeing obtained by one or more program 443 at block 806. One or moreprogram 440 for sending the content at block 920 for performing a storecan perform sending for storing user information of the certain user ofthe document, e.g., as can be obtained with a login procedure, e.g.,prior to block 702.

At block 922 one or more program 440 can output a reputation userinterface (UI). At block 922 one or more program 440 can send programcode for presentment of a reputation user interface to one or moreprogram 442.

At block 710 user system one or more program 442 can obtain the codesent at block 406 and at block 710 can execute the program code todisplay the reputation user interface so that a reputation userinterface can be displayed on a display 24, 25 of a computing node 100of user system 406. A user can enter into the user interface informationon the present click through document.

An example of a reputation user interface is illustrated in FIG. 12 sothat a user can enter feedback information into system 400. In area 1002a user can enter reputation information of a document subject toexamining at blocks 908-914. In area 1006 a user can enter reputationinformation of one or more prior document. It can be seen that areputation information of a document as input by a user may change overtime between logins of a user. Accordingly, it can be advantageous thata reputation user interface as illustrated in FIG. 12 prompt a user toenter reputation information on one or more prior document of digitalrights history repository 416. In area 1010 a user can enter informationon one or more other users of system 400, wherein each of the one ormore other users is associated to one or more document of digital rightshistory repository 416. Like document reputation information userreputation information can change over time. Accordingly, it can beadvantageous that a reputation user interface as shown in FIG. 12 promptfor user reputation information.

At block 924 one or more program 440 can obtain the reputationinformation. At block 926 one or more program 440 can store the obtainedinformation, e.g., by sending the obtained reputation information to oneor more program 443 which can obtain the reputation information at block806 for storing of the reputation information into digital rightshistory repository 416.

Where information presented has been designated for sharing betweenpersonal repository 418 and crowdsource repository 420 one or moreprogram 440 when sending information for storing can cause, e.g., viaestablishing appropriate program code, sharing of information betweenpersonal repository 418 and crowdsource repository 420. Referring to theflow diagram of FIGS. 11A-11B it will be seen that the functionsdescribed with reference to blocks 908-914 generally depict one or moreprogram 440 performing block 510 (FIG. 5) in one embodiment, and furtherthat the functions described with reference to block 916 generallydepict one or more program 440 performing block 510 (FIG. 5) in oneembodiment.

FIG. 13 is a flow diagram illustrating a method in accordance with anembodiment as set forth herein. In one embodiment, one or more program440 at block 505 can perform obtaining data for storage into a digitalrights history repository 416. In one embodiment one or more program 440at block 507 can perform storing data into a digital rights historyrepository 416. In one embodiment one or more program 440 at block 510can perform examining a digital rights click through document. In oneembodiment one or more program 440 at block 520 can perform augmentingcontent of the digital rights click through document based on a resultof the examining.

In one embodiment, where obtaining of data at block 505 involvesobtaining of data from a plurality of users e.g., for storage intocrowdsource repository 420, one or more program 440 obtaining data atblock 5050 can include crowdsourcing of data. Crowdsourcing of dataherein can include obtaining information by enlisting of services of anumber of people, either paid or unpaid, via a computer network, such asan intranet, a local area network (LAN), or a wide area network (WAN)such as the Internet.

In one embodiment, one or more program 440 at block 405 for performingobtaining of data can perform crowdsourcing data from a plurality ofusers via a computer network, the data including feedback data regardingdigital rights click through documents, wherein each of the users is aparty to at least one of the digital rights click through documents asset forth herein. In one embodiment, one or more program 440 at block507 for performing storing of data can perform storing the data obtainedat block 505 into a digital rights history repository 416. In oneembodiment one or more program 440 at block 510 can perform examining adigital rights click through document of a certain user, wherein thedigital rights click through document controls access to a digitalasset, wherein the examining includes using at least a portion of thefeedback data from the digital rights history repository. In oneembodiment, one or more program 440 at block 520 can perform augmentingcontent of the digital rights click through document based on a resultof the examining.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularembodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. As used herein, thesingular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the pluralforms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It willbe further understood that the terms “comprise” (and any form ofcomprise, such as “comprises” and “comprising”), “have” (and any form ofhave, such as “has” and “having”), “include” (and any form of include,such as “includes” and “including”), and “contain” (and any form ofcontain, such as “contains” and “containing”) are open-ended linkingverbs. As a result, a method or device that “comprises,” “has,”“includes,” or “contains” one or more steps or elements possesses thoseone or more steps or elements, but is not limited to possessing onlythose one or more steps or elements. Likewise, a step of a method or anelement of a device that “comprises,” “has,” “includes,” or “contains”one or more features possesses those one or more features, but is notlimited to possessing only those one or more features. Forms of the term“based on” encompass relationships where an element is partially basedon as well as relationships where an element is entirely based on. Formsof the term “defined by” encompass relationships where an element ispartially defined by as well as relationships where an element isentirely defined by. Furthermore, a device or structure that isconfigured in a certain way is configured in at least that way, but mayalso be configured in ways that are not listed.

The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of allmeans or step plus function elements in the claims below, if any, areintended to include any structure, material, or act for performing thefunction in combination with other claimed elements as specificallyclaimed. The description set forth herein has been presented forpurposes of illustration and description, but is not intended to beexhaustive or limited to the form disclosed. Many modifications andvariations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the artwithout departing from the scope and spirit of the disclosure. Theembodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain theprinciples of one or more aspects set forth herein and the practicalapplication, and to enable others of ordinary skill in the art tounderstand one or more aspects as described herein for variousembodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particularuse contemplated.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method comprising: crowdsourcing data from aplurality of users via a computer network, the data including feedbackdata regarding digital rights click through documents, wherein each ofthe users is a party to at least one of the digital rights click throughdocuments; storing the data obtained by the crowdsourcing into a digitalrights history repository; examining a digital rights click throughdocument of a certain user, wherein the digital rights click throughdocument controls access to a digital asset, wherein the examiningincludes using at least a portion of the feedback data of the digitalrights history repository; and augmenting content of the digital rightsclick through document based on a result of the examining, wherein theaugmenting includes outputting information for display on a display ofthe certain user, wherein the outputting information includes outputtinginformation in dependence on the number of users who have agreed toprior digital rights click through documents corresponding to thedigital rights click through document.
 2. The method of claim 1, whereinthe examining includes using at least a portion of the feedback data ofthe digital rights history repository and wherein the portion of thefeedback data includes an agreed to or not agreed to status of one ormore prior digital rights click through document and wherein the agreedto or not agreed to status specifies whether the one or more priordigital rights click through document was agreed to or not agreed to bya respective one or more user of the one or more prior digital rightsclick through document, the respective one or more user being other thanthe certain user.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the method includesrestricting an agree button of the digital rights click through documentso that the agree button is not displayed on a display of the certainuser unless the augmenting is performed to display information resultingfrom the examining on a display of the certain user.
 4. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the augmenting includes outputting information to thecertain user on whether one or more respective user of one or more priordigital rights click through document corresponding to the digitalrights click through document has agreed to the one or more priordigital rights click through document corresponding to the digitalrights click through document.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein theaugmenting includes outputting information for display on a display ofthe certain user, wherein the outputting information includes outputtinginformation in dependence on the number of users who have rejected priordigital rights click through documents corresponding to the digitalrights click through document.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein theoutputting information includes outputting information in dependence onthe number of users who have agreed to prior digital rights clickthrough documents corresponding to the digital rights click throughdocument.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the method includespresenting an agree button to permit the certain user to agree to thedigital rights click through document of the certain user in response todetermining based on the examining that there is no prior digital rightsclick through document corresponding to the digital rights click throughdocument of the certain user.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein theaugmenting includes outputting on a display of the certain user (a)information on whether the digital rights click through document is anew digital rights click through document; (b) information on one ormore difference between the digital rights click through document andone or more prior digital rights click through document of the certainuser; and (c) information on one or more difference between the digitalrights click through document and one or more prior digital rights clickthrough document of one or more other user other than the certain user.9. The method of claim 1, wherein the digital rights history repositoryincludes a personal repository having prior digital rights click throughdocuments of the certain user and a crowdsource repository having priordigital rights click through documents of users other than the certainuser.
 10. The method of claim 1, wherein the method is performed so thatwhen a result of the examining is that there is no prior digital rightsclick through document corresponding to the digital rights click throughdocument of the certain user, the certain user is permitted to agree tothe digital rights click through document of the certain user, whereinthe digital rights history repository includes a personal repositoryhaving prior digital rights click through documents of the certain userand a crowdsource repository having prior digital rights click throughdocuments of users other than the certain user, wherein the examining isperformed so that content of the crowdsource repository is usedconditionally on a determination that the personal repository is absentof a prior digital rights click through document of the certain usercorresponding to the digital rights click through document.
 11. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the examining includes analyzing events todetermine event analysis results of one or more prior digital rightsclick through documents corresponding to the digital rights clickthrough document, and wherein the augmenting including outputting to adisplay of the certain user the event analysis results, wherein theevents include reputation entry events, agree events, and reject events,the reputation entry events being events wherein a user providesfeedback on a digital rights click through document, the agree eventsbeing events wherein a user agrees to a digital rights click throughdocument, the reject events being events wherein a user rejects adigital rights click through document.
 12. The method of claim 1,wherein the digital rights history repository includes a personalrepository having prior digital rights click through documents of thecertain user and a crowdsource repository having prior digital rightsclick through documents of users other than the certain user, whereinthe examining is performed so that content of the crowdsource repositoryis used conditionally on a determination that the personal repository isabsent of a prior digital rights click through document of the certainuser corresponding to the digital rights click through document.
 13. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the augmenting includes outputtinginformation to the certain user on whether one or more respective userof at least one prior digital rights click through documentcorresponding to the digital rights click through document has agreed tothe at least one prior digital rights click through documentcorresponding to the digital rights click through document, wherein theoutputting information includes outputting information in dependence onthe number of users who have rejected prior digital rights click throughdocuments corresponding to the digital rights click through document.14. The method of claim 1, wherein the examining includes analyzing todetermine event analysis results of a set of prior digital rights clickthrough documents corresponding to the digital rights click throughdocument, and wherein the augmenting including outputting the eventanalysis results to the certain user, wherein the examining includesexamining one or more of the following selected from the groupconsisting of (a) agree/reject events for the set of prior digitalrights click through documents corresponding to the digital rights clickthrough document, the agree/reject events specifying whether respectiveusers of digital rights click though document of the set of priordigital rights click through documents agreed to or reject the digitalrights click though document of the set of prior digital rights clickthrough documents, and (b) positive or negative feedback events for theset of prior digital rights click through documents corresponding to thedigital rights click through document the positive or negative feedbackevents specifying positive or negative feedback of respective users ofdigital rights click though document of the set of prior digital rightsclick through documents.
 15. The method of claim 1, wherein theexamining includes analyzing to determine event analysis results of aset of prior digital rights click through documents corresponding to thedigital rights click through document, and wherein the augmentingincluding outputting the event analysis results to the certain user,wherein the examining includes examining each of (a) agree/reject eventsfor the set of prior digital rights click through documentscorresponding to the digital rights click through document, theagree/reject events specifying whether respective users of digitalrights click though document of the set of prior digital rights clickthrough documents agreed to or reject the digital rights click thoughdocument of the set of prior digital rights click through documents, and(b) positive or negative feedback events for the set of prior digitalrights click through documents corresponding to the digital rights clickthrough document the positive or negative feedback events specifyingpositive or negative feedback of respective users of digital rightsclick though document of the set of prior digital rights click throughdocuments.
 16. The method of claim 1, wherein the examining includescomparing content of the digital rights click through document to aplurality of prior digital rights click through documents of the digitalrights history repository, wherein the plurality of prior digital rightsclick through documents include prior digital rights click throughdocuments of users other than the certain user, and wherein theaugmenting includes outputting information resulting from the comparing,wherein the examining includes using other user content of a crowdsourcerepository of the digital rights history repository, the other usercontent being obtained from one or more user other than the certainuser, wherein the other user content includes one or more prior digitalrights click through document and one or more reputation informationitem.
 17. The method of claim 1, wherein the examining includes usingother user content of a crowdsource repository of the digital rightshistory repository, the other user content being obtained from one ormore user other than the certain user, and wherein the other usercontent includes one or more prior digital rights click through documentand one or more reputation information item, wherein the examiningincludes comparing content of the digital rights click through documentto a plurality of prior digital rights click through documents of thedigital rights history repository, and wherein the augmenting includesoutputting information resulting from the comparing.
 18. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the outputting information includes outputtinginformation in dependence on the number of users who have rejected priordigital rights click through documents corresponding to the digitalrights click through document.
 19. A computer program productcomprising: a computer readable storage medium readable by one or moreprocessing circuit and storing instructions for execution by one or moreprocessor for performing a method comprising: crowdsourcing data from aplurality of users via a computer network, the data including feedbackdata regarding digital rights click through documents, wherein each ofthe users is a party to at least one of the digital rights click throughdocuments; storing the data obtained by the crowdsourcing into a digitalrights history repository; examining a digital rights click throughdocument of a certain user, wherein the digital rights click throughdocument controls access to a digital asset, wherein the examiningincludes using at least a portion of the feedback data of the digitalrights history repository; and augmenting content of the digital rightsclick through document based on a result of the examining, wherein theaugmenting includes outputting information for display on a display ofthe certain user, wherein the outputting information includes outputtinginformation in dependence on the number of users who have agreed toprior digital rights click through documents corresponding to thedigital rights click through document.
 20. A system comprising: amemory; one or more processor in communication with the memory; andprogram instructions executable by the one or more processor via thememory to perform a method, the method comprising: crowdsourcing datafrom a plurality of users via a computer network, the data includingfeedback data regarding digital rights click through documents, whereineach of the users is a party to at least one of the digital rights clickthrough documents; storing the data obtained by the crowdsourcing into adigital rights history repository; examining a digital rights clickthrough document of a certain user, wherein the digital rights clickthrough document controls access to a digital asset, wherein theexamining includes using at least a portion of the feedback data of thedigital rights history repository; and augmenting content of the digitalrights click through document based on a result of the examining,wherein the augmenting includes outputting information for display on adisplay of the certain user, wherein the outputting information includesoutputting information in dependence on the number of users who haverejected prior digital rights click through documents corresponding tothe digital rights click through document.